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Last swing on the LME Aluminium Stocks Roundabout? Andy Home
In the last six months, 156,000 metric tonnes of aluminium metal have been deposited in London Metal Exchange's warehouses. It's beginning to look as if the stock battle that has characterized LME aluminium trade for more than a year is coming to an end. The volume of metal is decreasing. This has led to a battle between financiers, traders and warehouses. Almost all of the aluminium that was just delivered on LME warrant came from the existing LME offwarrant stock in the same Malaysian facility. The Port Klang stock shuffle had little effect on the overall inventory picture. The total LME stock, including both registered and non-warranted stocks, is still down almost 300,000 tons since the beginning of the year, at 717,000 tonnes. LME's time spreads are not easing despite a recent influx of "arrivals", as reported in daily LME inventory reports. This also provides a clue to the reason why Port Klang's storage capacity, as registered by LME, has been shrinking steadily. PORT KLANG RUNDABOUT Since May 2024 when 650,000 tonnes of aluminium were dumped in LME warehouses at Port Klang, the battle over aluminum stocks has been raging. According to reports, the seller, Trafigura trade house, would earn more from a rent sharing deal with an LME warehouse company, ISTIM UK Ltd in this case, than a physical sale on an oversupplied marketplace. The buyers were happy to learn that the metal was not Russian, as it had been recently sanctioned by the US and UK. The bad news is that the only option to break the pre-negotiated deal for storage was to cancel and transfer the metal to another warehouse operator. The rush to move aluminum created a queue similar to those at the LME during the 2010s. At its peak, the queue at ISTIM’s Port Klang Warehouses stretched 293 days in August 2024. It only vanished in May of this year. Stocks have been restocked in ISTIM's warehouses following a recent stock churn caused by the squeeze on holders of short positions in April and May. The volume of metal in India is significantly lower than last year, and the majority of it has been returned from non-warranty storage. Port Klang's total stocks have increased by only 41,000 tonnes since the end May, despite daily stock reports from the LME. ISTIM does not seem to expect much more in the near future. The number of warehouse units listed on the exchange in the Malaysian Port has decreased from 22 to 13. While other operators have increased the presence in Port Klang, the total LME Storage capacity has decreased by 15% since 2025. It is now half of what it was back in 2021 when ISTIM stored over 800,000 tonnes of warranted aluminum. All Change, No Change The LME time spreads are barely reacting to daily warranting. The benchmark cash to three-month period The market is unchanged since two months ago. It's not because much has changed. The total LME inventories, registered and non-warranted, increased by only 36,500 tonnes between June and July. This barely dented a downward trend that began in May of last year. Stocks are still hovering around their three-year lows. It will take more cash to stop the erosion of an inventory that was once a mountain. The lack of new inflows may be due to greater opportunities on a market that is adapting to both a European phase out of Russian imports as well as the increase in U.S. tariffs of 50%. Physical arbitrage is more profitable than LME storage because warehouse operators like ISTIM no longer have the large storage revenues to compete with physical buyers for fresh metal. There may also be a lack of aluminium available to fight for as China increases imports. In the first half of this year, the country imported 1.25 million tonnes of primary metals, mostly Russian. The pace of arrivals increased in July. The LME warehouse roundabout has lost momentum, and it will continue to do so until operators are able to draw more metal from the physical supply chain. These are the opinions of a columnist who writes for.
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Maguire charts the projected US energy capacity mix to 2035
The U.S. is experiencing the most rapid growth in power generation capacity since decades. This is due to utilities' scrambling to meet demand for electricity from data centers, AI, businesses, homes, and electric vehicles. The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA), which is responsible for the U.S. Energy System, has released projections of generation capacity over a decade. These projections are subject to change and they will likely do so following the recent changes in U.S. policy towards renewable energy, since President Donald Trump took office. It is still instructive to compare the actual additions of capacity to the projections for the U.S. energy generation mix over the next decade. GAS CRUTCH The EIA predicted that even before the Trump Administration cut support for solar and winds power development, natural gas would continue to be the main power source in the U.S. energy system for another decade. EIA data show that the total gas-fired capacity is expected to increase by 3% in the next decade, reaching 523.3 gigawatts by 2035. It is more likely that actual U.S. capacity growth will be higher due to the increased pressure on utilities to increase power supply while the incentives for developing clean energy are being removed. Gas is still expected to lose ground in the U.S. energy mix over the next few years due to the faster growth of clean sources of power. Gas-fired electricity will account for approximately 42% of total power in 2025. This share will drop to 38% in 2028 and then stay steady until 2035. The coal share in the mix of generation is expected to fall much more rapidly, from 14% at present to 10% by the year 2020. As outdated plants are closed, the total coal capacity will shrink from 167 GW to 133 GW in 2035. By 2035, the share of nuclear reactors and hydroelectric stations will also decrease from 8% to 7%. The total installed capacity of U.S. nuclear power is around 98.4GW and is expected to remain largely unchanged for the next decade. The hydropower capacity will also increase slowly, from 84.2 GW to 2035. CLEANING UP EIA predicts that solar, battery storage and wind systems will increase their respective generation share by 2035 due to their current much faster growth rates. Solar and wind power will account for roughly 13% of the current mix in 2025. Solar farms will account for 18% of the market by 2028. This is due to their lower costs and faster ramp-up times when compared with other options. EIA data indicates that the total utility-scale solar power generation capacity will increase from 156 GW to 255 GW or 64% by 2035. Wind farm capacity, on the other hand, is expected to grow slower due to high component prices, limited expansion areas and a diminished policy support in Washington DC. The total wind capacity has been estimated at 160 GW and is expected to increase by 15 % or 25 GW in 2035, bringing it up to 185 GW. The battery storage capacity will surpass all other components of the power mix by 2035. It is estimated that the current 45 GW capacity of batteries will more than double, to 97.2 GW. Battery adoption is expected to be sustained by rapidly declining battery costs and a policy that supports batteries in utility systems, even as solar and wind energy systems slow down. Regional Trends The projected changes in capacity will vary greatly by region. Southwest and Western U.S. are expected to have the biggest increases by 2035. Due to higher solar radiation in the Western half of the U.S. and the availability of more land suitable for solar farms and batteries, this region is expected to see the biggest increase in overall solar and battery capacities. EIA data indicates that the Southwest and Western U.S. is expected to see a 55% increase in solar capacity and an 82% increase in battery capacity. Around two thirds of the projected growth in gas-fired electricity capacity is expected to take place in the Eastern part of the country. In the Southeast and Northeast, just over 9 GW (out of 14 GW) of new gas capacity projected will be built. Due to the steep reductions in incentives for adding renewable energy beyond 2025 utilities in the Southwest will also increase their gas capacity during the next decade, particularly if the demand for air conditioning and data centers continues to grow. The coal capacity in all regions is projected to decrease by 2035. The current administration's support for coal, and the increasing strain on the power grids from rising electricity demand will likely delay some coal plant closures. This will result in coal continuing to maintain a higher share of the U.S. mix for generation a decade from today than is currently projected. Gas's share in the U.S. mix will also likely exceed than undershoot projected levels, particularly given the current anti-renewables policymakers who may encourage more utilities to choose gas over wind or solar. Despite the federal policy changes, there is still a clear trend towards clean energy. Solar and battery systems are growing at a rapid rate, and this growth will continue in years to come. These are the opinions of a columnist who writes for. You like this article? Check it out Open Interest The new global financial commentary source (ROI) is your go-to for all the latest news and analysis. ROI provides data-driven, thought-provoking analysis on everything from soybeans to swap rates. The markets are changing faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on You can find us on LinkedIn.
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By the end of 2026, Availity Healthcare IT will triple its India-based tech staff.
Availity, a U.S.-based healthcare IT company, will triple its staff in its India tech center by the end of 2026. The firm wants to expand its tech capabilities and address cost pressures within the U.S. health care system. Sean Keneally, chief operating officer, said that the company would expand its Bengaluru capabilities centre. It aims to increase headcount to 400 by 2025 from 250, and 800 by 2026. Availity is a healthcare information network that Novo Holdings has created. It connects hospitals, payers and insurers. Novo Holdings, the majority shareholder in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, is owned by Novo Holdings. Keneally stated that Availity India's centre will soon expand to include technology, product, operations and corporate roles. Once seen as low-cost outsourcing hubs, global capability centers (GCCs), in India now manage operations, finance, and research and development for the parent companies. The expansion of Availity in India coincides with the changing reimbursement and coverage models within the U.S. health care system. The company sees the move as timely as U.S. payers are under financial pressure due to reimbursement cuts and coverage decreases. Keneally stated that lower Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements rates have left healthcare providers with "almost inaccessible" care, leaving their customers with limited budgets to innovate. He said that the customers were looking for technology solutions to solve their problems. Keneally stated that Availity customers who operate GCCs also have offices in India. The India centre will work directly with these local teams.
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Israel orders Boeing aerial refuelling tanks worth $500 million from the US
Israel will buy two Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling tankers for $500 million, which will be financed by U.S. military assistance. The Israeli Defence Ministry announced this on Wednesday. The Israeli government said that it would sign a contract with the U.S. Government once the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Defence Procurement gives its approval. The U.S. oversees the foreign military transfers and sales to other countries. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Defence said that four Boeing-made KC-46 aircraft are already in service. Amir Baram, Director General of the Ministry, said that the aircraft will strengthen the military’s long-range tactical capabilities. This will allow it to operate further afield and with greater force. Israel used aerial refueling tankers such as these during its 12-day airwar against In June, The statement stated that the contract included equipping the aircraft with Israeli systems. It did not specify. Washington gives Israel, a close Middle East ally, billions of dollars yearly to buy American weapons and equipment. The contract is worth approximately US$500 million and funded by U.S. Aid, according to a statement from the Ministry. Recent questions from Republicans and Democrats in the United States have raised concerns about whether the government should give Israel military aid. They cited Israel's war in Gaza, and questioned whether taxpayer dollars could be better spent on domestic priority. (Reporting and editing by Mark Heinrich; Alexander Cornwell)
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French company partners with JetZero to develop hydrogen-powered aircraft
On Wednesday, a French technology startup announced plans to work with JetZero, a clean-aircraft venture to explore the possibility of a hydrogen-powered version of its futuristic design. The SHZ Advanced Technologies' move is likely to reignite a debate about the possibility of zero-emission flights, six months after Europe’s Airbus halted plans to develop the first hydrogen-powered aircraft in the world. JetZero, a California-based company, aims to compete with the duopoly that is Airbus and Boeing. It has developed a blended wing-body plane which claims to be able reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by half. JetZero, SHZ and NASA are now planning to collaborate on a NASA-funded research programme in order to develop systems for storing and dispensing liquid hydrogen fuel. This could eliminate all carbon emissions and lead to a JetZero Z4 variant. Hydrogen is valued for its low carbon emissions and high energy per mass ratio, making it lighter than regular fuel. It also occupies a larger volume and has to be cooled down to -253 degrees Celsius. This makes storage difficult. JetZero’s blended wing-body features a V shaped fuselage which acts as a wings and reduces air friction, instead of the familiar wings with cylindrical fuselage. The wider fuselage allows the aircraft to be compatible with liquid hydrogen fuel tanks, without having to sacrifice passenger seating as would a tube and wing airplane. Airbus announced in February that it would slow down its efforts to produce a regional hydrogen-powered plane, and had dropped the target date of 2030. It blamed a lack supporting infrastructure. Boeing has been sceptical about the commercial viability and safety of hydrogen-powered aircraft. Boeing and NASA conducted a research project in the X-48 design, which was based on the concept of a wing-body blend dating back to the 1940s. JetZero revisits such designs, as the aviation sector struggles to reach a net-zero emission target by 2050. Airbus claims that it would be overly ambitious to combine such radical changes in the shape of an aircraft with a completely new propulsion system. Instead, they are focusing on hydrogen-based cells within a tubular aircraft configuration. Eric Schulz, co-founder of SHZ Advanced Technologies and former executive at Rolls-Royce & Airbus, said JetZero will approach the task in phases. The first phase will focus on a conventionally-powered all-wing aircraft. He said that any hydrogen-based version would be in the second step. The French company claims to have developed hydrogen tanks which save space because they do not need the cylindrical shape of pressurised vessels. They can also fit into the contours of Z4 fuselage's flowing contours. JetZero's backers, including United Airlines, announced in June that it was on schedule to fly a prototype full-scale of its revolutionary 250-passenger aircraft in 2027. (Reporting and editing by Mark Potter.)
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According to traders, the amount of gasoline exported by Russia to Afghanistan dropped sharply in July.
The traders said that Russia's gasoline exports to Afghanistan and Turkmenistan dropped in July, even before Moscow restricted the exports to ensure affordable supplies on the domestic market. According to data from traders, Russia's gas exports to Afghanistan dropped to 9,500 tons last month, down from 33,950 tonns in June. Turkmenistan's imports also decreased to 19,800 tonns from 39,700 tonns. The data revealed that Belarus increased its supply to Afghanistan at the same time to counteract the Russian decline. Russia implemented official export restrictions for gasoline producers towards the end of July in order to boost domestic supply during the period of high seasonal demand. The drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian oil refineries have made it more difficult for Russia to meet its demand. According to traders the gasoline transit from Belarus into Afghanistan increased in July from 8,100 to 29,000 tonnes. Turkmenistan's shipments to the country from Belarus fell from 51,000 to 31,540 tonnes in July, a trend that was not repeated. The traders added that the gasoline supply from Russia and Belarus into Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in June reached a record of 132,700 tonnes due to possible disruptions by Iran, which is a major fuel exporter due to its conflict against Israel. Helen Popper edited the report.
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United Airlines Ventures invests into aerospace startup Astro Mechanica
United Airlines' venture-capital arm announced on Wednesday that it had invested in Astro Mechanica. The company develops supersonic airframes and propulsion systems. This investment signals renewed interest in ultrasonic jets. The Trump administration is pushing for the lifting of a 1973 ban on supersonic flight over land. It has directed the FAA that the supersonic speed limitation will be lifted as long as the aircraft does not create an audible boom on the ground. After 27 years, the Concorde was retired by Air France and British Airways in 2003, ending an era of commercial supersonic flight. Environmentalists have criticized supersonic aircraft for consuming more fuel per passenger compared to subsonic planes. United Airlines, which had placed an order in 2021 for 15 Boom Supersonic "Overture" aircraft, was a proponent of supersonic flight. United Airlines Ventures has not disclosed the size of their investment in Astro Mechanica. (Reporting and editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri; Parth Chandna)
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Davie, Canada's Davie, believes that US shipyards are key to winning the icebreaker contract
Owner of Canadian company Davie Shipbuilding, said on Wednesday the key to winning the contract to build icebreakers in the United States was to develop local shipbuilding capability there. Davie announced in June that it would be acquiring Texas shipyards located in Galveston, Port Arthur and British Inocea Group. On Wednesday, Alex Vicefield CEO of Davie’s holding company British Inocea Group revealed for the first-time that the shipbuilder was bidding for a contract with the U.S. government. Vicefield said that the U.S. is still discussing how to proceed, but the most important thing to do would be to improve the shipbuilding capabilities of the United States. He spoke at Davie's Helsinki Shipyard where the company began construction on a $3.25-billion, 139-metre Polar Max icebreaker destined for Canada. Canada and Finland have renewed their icebreakers fleets. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump allocated more than $8.6 Billion for similar plans to counter Russian and Chinese dominance. Last year, the three nations signed an Ice Pact to develop their Arctic capabilities together. But its future is uncertain because Trump's chaotic policies have sent U.S. and Canadian relations into a downward spiral. Trump claims that his trade levies are bringing jobs back to the United States. The U.S. Coast Guard wants to increase its fleet of three icebreakers by eight or nine Arctic-ready vessels, and Canada ordered two heavy icebreakers in March from Canadian Seaspan Shipyards & Davie. In a speech, Davie CEO James Davies stated that Canada and Finland were determined to rebuild and revive the Western shipbuilding industries. The Canadian Coast Guard has 18 icebreakers. This is the second largest fleet in the World after Russia's 40. Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Industry, said that the new vessel would help secure Canada's northern trade routes as well as advance its strategic interests in an important region of the world. Finland will be replacing its eight icebreakers in the next few years. Construction of the first one is scheduled to start in 2026. Davie purchased the Helsinki Shipyard from its former Russian owners in 2023 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. There's no doubt that Finland, Helsinki is the world leader in icebreakers. "America has an older fleet of icebreakers and it's very difficult to learn how to build these specific, hard-to-build vessels," Davies said. Reporting by Anne Kauranen, Helsinki; editing by Kirsten Doovan
Wall Street Journal, August 21,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy.
McDonald's has reached an agreement with its franchisees to reduce the price of combo meals by 15%. They will also launch value deals between $5 and $8. The aim is to regain their affordability image among inflation-weary customers.
Hertz is selling used cars on Amazon's automotive market, increasing retail access while boosting margins. This move is part of an overall push to sell vehicles directly to customers.
Meta has frozen its hiring in its AI division, amid a major reorganization. This follows a costly talent frenzy and investor concerns about soaring salaries and uncertain returns on the superintelligence ambitions of Meta.
Powell is focused on maintaining the Fed's credibility and independence amid economic and political turmoil. Powell has launched personal attacks on Trump and launched public confrontations.
(source: Reuters)